17 February 2012

Madagascan Tea Cake

I have some gorgeous Madagascan Bourbon Vanilla in my pantry. For some reason, I'd been saving it for something special, using vanilla sugar or standard vanilla essence in my cooking. Now I'm avoiding using excess sugar, I find myself stretching into my pantry and grasping for flavours that will disguise the fact that my baking is not sweet. The wonderful thing about this is that without extra sugar, you can taste all the tropical flavours - mango, coconut, vanilla and lime. I have to admit though - I'd prefer it with a daiquiri, not tea...

Ingredients:

4 eggs

250g mango (or one 425g tin, drained)

400ml flour (I use gluten free)

4 tsp (20ml) baking powder

125ml virgin coconut oil

100ml sugar

1 tsp vanilla

zest and juice of 1 lime

1tsp salt

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 180°C (375°F), then put the mango slices, eggs, vanilla, sugar, lime and coconut oil in a blend and puree until smooth.

fold through sifted dry ingredients, then pour into a lined baking tin and cook for 40 minutes or until cake tests done.

Yes, it's an easy one! If you really wanted to ice it, then I'd think a thin, zesty lime juice and icing sugar drizzle would work well, or maybe some sweet vanilla and lime syrup, but it really doesn't need it. I made the cake above twice - once with the sugar, and once without (as cupcakes). It works either way, but I must confess the kids like the sugared version.